Colts' Andrew Luck out 2-6 weeks with lacerated kidney

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck suffered a kidney laceration and partial abdominal muscle tear in Sunday’s win over Denver and will be out two to six weeks, the team announced Tuesday afternoon.

The three-time Pro Bowl quarterback suffered his injuries in the fourth quarter, yet finished the game as the Colts defeated the previously unbeaten Denver Broncos 27-24 at Lucas Oil Stadium.

“The injuries happened at the end of an early fourth-quarter scramble when Andrew was doing everything he could to get us the win,” head coach Chuck Pagano said in a statement released by the team.

“Andrew was sore after the game and was feeling a little worse Monday afternoon, so we sent him to get tests.”

The Colts' statement said the injuries should not require surgery and a full recovery from both is expected within two to six weeks.

“It’s way too early to guess how long Andrew will be out,” Pagano said. “We’re going to keep listening to the doctors and evaluating his progress on a week-by-week basis. We’ve got all the confidence in the world in Matt Hasselbeck and we’re not going to put Andrew back out there until he’s healed and ready to go.”

On the first play of the fourth quarter, Luck ran out of the pocket on a second-and-9 play at the Broncos’ 12 and was hit first in the mid-section by linebacker Danny Trevathan and then from behind in the shoulder area by defensive end Vance Walker.

Offensive guard Jack Mewhort helped Luck up. On the next play, Luck threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to running back Ahmad Bradshaw for a 24-17 lead.

The setback continues a painful season for the passer, who had thrown 12 interceptions and was inactive in Weeks 4 and 5 with what the team reported was a sore right shoulder. Multiple reports also maintained Luck endured fractured ribs.

The Colts (4-5), who are on a bye week, are coming off easily their best game of the season, so it’s a devastating setback for a team many picked in preseason as a legitimate Super Bowl contender.

Hasselbeck, the Colts’ 40-year-old backup, led the team to victories against Jacksonville and at Houston when Luck was previously sidelined.

The Colts play at the Atlanta Falcons (6-3) after the bye, then five of the last six opponents have losing records.